General Rules
1. A charge will not be made for entries
2. All entries in Sections 1, 2, 3, 4, & 5 are to be left for the charity auction
3. All exhibits must have been grown by the exhibitor. The organisers reserve the right to refuse any entry and to view the garden/allotment from which any entry has been made
4. No person shall be allowed in the hall during the judging except those appointed to assist
5. No exhibitor may win more than one prize in any class
6. Two or more persons may not exhibit from the same allotment/garden in the same class
7. Exhibitors’ names must not appear on any exhibit
8. Exhibits should be staged by 10:45am on the morning of the Show
9. It is the exhibitors’ responsibility to ensure that their entries are correctly made and placed in the correct class
10. Where entries do not exceed three in a class, only two prizes may be awarded
11. The Judges may withhold any or all of the prizes where in their opinion the exhibits are of insufficient merit
12. Instructions for the Top Tray and Top Vase classes must be strictly adhered to
13. Trophy winners should be present to receive their awards
Specific Competition Rules
Class 1- Top Tray
The Top Tray class is for a collection of three types of vegetables from the following list of eight. The quantity of each vegetable required for the collection is given in parenthesis: Beetroot (3), Carrots (3), Cauliflowers (2), Courgettes (3), Cucumbers, French Beans (6 pods), (2) Onion (3), Parsnip (3), Peas (6 pods), Peppers (3), Potatoes (3), Runner Beans (6 pods), Sweet Corn (2), Tomatoes (6). Each type of vegetable will be judged out of a total of 20 points, split into 3 section, these being: 7 points for size, shape and colour; 7 points for condition; and 6 points for uniformity. Therefore, the overall mark will be out of 60.
All vegetables are to be displayed for effect. The vegetables must be displayed within an area measuring 18 x 24 inches (45 x 60 cm) without bending any part of them. No part of any exhibit may exceed the size of the tray. A tray or board measuring 18 x 24 inches (45 x 60 cm) can be used to display the vegetables, or the area be can simply marked on the staging. Where a tray has a lip or an edge, it is the internal measurements that shall not exceed 18 x 24 inches (45 x 60 cm).
A black cloth is permitted, and the tray may be painted. Parsley is allowed for garnishing, but no other foliage or accessories such as plates, sand, rings, etc will be allowed. Onion tops may be tied or whipped using raffia or string.
The winner of the Top Tray class shall receive either a garden voucher or cash to the value of £7. Runner up and third place will receive £5 and £3 respectively.
Class 31- Top Vase
The Top Vase class is for a vase of mixed flowering stems containing a total of between 5 and 10 stems, taken from a minimum of 2 different kinds of plants. Please note that it is 2 different KINDS of plants; 2 varieties of the same plant are NOT 2 kinds.
The display will be judged out of a total of 35 points, split into 25 points for the colour, form, condition, quality and freshness of the flowers on display, and 10 marks for the overall presentation and effect of the flowers in the vase. The vase will be viewed from all directions. Judging of the flowers should be to the normal rules used for other classes
Stems used in the display must be showing flowers only; no seed heads or berries shall be allowed.
The vase can be any shape and size and made from any material, but must be in proportion to the display. No marks are awarded for the display itself.
No accessories whatsoever, such as bows and additional foliage, will be allowed. Foliage which is growing naturally from the flowering stem and still attached to the stem is allowed. Packing material, including Oasis, to keep the stems in place is allowed.
The winner of the Top Vase class shall receive either a garden voucher or cash to the value of £7. Runner up and third place will receive £5 and £3 respectively.
Hints for Exhibitors
(a) Care in the presentation of exhibits should be encouraged and labelling of varieties and contents is highly recommended
(b) Stems should be left on runner beans, French beans and peas
(c) Spiders should be left on tomatoes
(d) Foliage should be cut to approximately 7.5 cm on carrots & beetroot and on radishes to 3.8 cm
(e) Stalks should be left on cabbages (7.5 cm) and roots on lettuces
(f) Onions should not be skinned
(g) Bloom should be left on apples and plums
(h) Stalks should be left on plums, apples and soft fruit
(i) Jars in classes 36 to 38 should be full & fitted with a cellophane top
(j) Exhibits in Section 5 Baking should be covered with cling film for the purpose of hygiene and mounted on disposable plates. NB. Exhibits in Baking may be cut during judging
Generally, our rules and hints are in line with the RHS Handbook, with entries judged on size, uniformity, condition and colour